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What Are the Cultural Differences?

When we are in our native environment, we are relatively
comfortable because of our familiarity with the culture. In general, we know
what kinds of reactions to expect from people in a given situation. We know how
to get what we need. The cues and symbols that we use to make these
determinations are based on our culture. In a different culture, we suddenly
lose cues and symbols that orient us to situations of daily life. The process
of adjusting to another culture and of gaining an understanding of it often
creates psychological discomfort, commonly referred to as culture shock. This
is the reaction to differences and difficulties one encounters in a foreign
culture and can consist of many phases.

Normal feelings encountered as a reaction to culture
shock may include helplessness, hopelessness, loneliness, homesickness, slight
depression, irritability, and boredom. For most participants, going through
culture shock means that they are truly making an effort to understand and
adjust to their new environment. It can be a time of tremendous personal and
academic growth.

Other reactions may also accompany culture shock:

changes in sleeping habits and chronic fatigue

disorientation about how to work with and relate to
others

language difficulties and mental fatigue from speaking
and listening to a foreign language all day

unexplained emotional surges, such as verbal outbursts or
crying

placing blame for difficulties on the program or host
culture

decline in inventiveness, spontaneity, or flexibility

stereotyping of host country/culture

increase in physical ailments or pain

compulsive eating or lack of appetite

inability to work effectively.

Often participants cannot explain why they are feeling
this way; only that these strong feelings exist. This process of discovering
cultural differences and experiencing culture shock is a powerful learning
tool. As participants work through the challenges and emotions of cultural
adjustment, the result can be a high degree of understanding both about
themselves and about the culture in which they are living. Past participants
have stated that study abroad can be an invaluable education about what it
means to be from the United States and to gain first-hand knowledge about the
diversity of lifestyles and beliefs in the world.

During these challenging times it is easy for
participants to stick together because it is more comfortable for them to be
with people from their own culture. However, by doing so, they may miss many of
the beautiful experiences the host country has to offer. It often takes a lot
of effort to develop relationships across cultures, but the rewards can be
considerable.

Before You Go

Before departing it can be helpful for participants to
think about how their own cultural background has influenced their beliefs and
values as well as how the foreign culture will similarly influence those who
live in it.

It is also important for participants to identify goals,
objectives, and expectations before leaving in order to plan for their
experience and to mitigate some of their anxiety or apprehension.

Adjusting to a new culture is a process. Although usually
more intense, this process is similar to the ups and downs, excitement and
frustrations that we all go through when we start a new job or move to a
different part of the country.

The above version of the cross-cultural adjustment curve is an attempt to
represent the following phases of adjustment. Keep in mind that each individual
will experience cultural adjustment differently.

Anticipating Departure. Before going abroad, participants are often excited about the trip and at the same time wary of the upcoming challenges.

Emotional Highpoint. Upon arriving in-country, participants may find everything to be new, different, exciting, and fascinating. These initial feelings, sometimes
referred to as the "honeymoon" stage, may last anywhere from a couple weeks to
a few months.

Critical Low-point. The novelty of the new culture eventually wears off and participants confront difficulties stemming from the loss of familiar cues and symbols. The resulting
frustrations and annoyances are commonly referred to as culture shock.

Initial Adjustment. Things tend to get better as participants develop their language skills and learn to navigate in the host culture. Many of the uncomfortable reactions to
culture shock go away. Participants may begin to see a balance between the
positive and negative aspects of the culture.

Confronting Deeper Issues. Participants may again feel an increase in frustration as they confront larger cultural and personal difficulties. Sometimes at this point, deeper personal
issues surface. The result may be feelings of isolation, boredom, and a lack of motivation.

Adapting & Assimilating. After resolving some of the feelings of isolation, participants may feel more and more comfortable in the host culture. Some develop strong relationships with non-Americans; others decide they are only long-term visitors and as such will not develop close relationships. They may gain a better understanding of the major differences and deeper aspects of the culture. They may integrate aspects of the culture into their own identity, so that the host culture has become a part of them.

Anticipating the Return. A few weeks before returning home, participants often think a lot about what the return home will be like. Feelings of anxiety may increase as they think
about leaving what has become their home, about how much they have changed, and about how the changes will be perceived by friends and family back home.

Reentry Adjustment Upon return, participants must again adjust but this time to a culture that was once familiar. Many of the above phases of adjustment may repeat themselves, with varying intensity, as participants readjust to being home.

Practical Advice

In order to gain some perspective about the experience, read as much as possible about where you are going. This could include reading guidebooks, foreign and international newspapers, magazines, novels, plays, poetry, and political and economic analyses. You may also want to talk to international students and veteran travelers who have been where you are going.

You may also want to read about culture in general and how it affects our behavior, beliefs, customs, and how
we view the world.

The following questions may clarify how culture can influence the goals, expectations, hopes, and fears that participants may have about the upcoming study abroad experience. They are intended to help you prepare for the cross-cultural aspects of the experience as well as invite you to think both about how culture affects you and how it will affect your experience.

Who am I? (awareness of personal beliefs and attitudes)

Where do I come from? (awareness of US cultural beliefs
and customs)

Where am I going? (awareness of foreign culture customs,
behaviors,, and values)

Why am I going? (To practice a foreign language, interest
in foreign countries, to see famous sites, to leave the US, etc.)

What am I willing to consider? (How open will I be to
different ways of doing things? Will I "try on" some of the behavior and values
of the foreign people?)